Binding element



Sept. 17, 1946.

c. EEMMER 2,407,656

BINDING ELEMENT Filed Oct. 9, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I CHA21.E$ 5 50150.

Sept. 17, 1946, c; EMMER 2,407,656

BINDING ELEMENT Filed Oct. 9, 1945 2 sheets sheet 2 Patented Sept. 17, 1946 2,407,656 om cs1" BINDING ELEMENT Charles Edward Emmer,

GeneralBinding Corp corporation of Illinois Chicago; Illl, assignor to oration, Chicago, III., a

Application October 9, 1943, Serial No. 505,617

6 Claims. (Cl. 281-21) This invention relates to bindings, and more particularly to bindings formed of .vinyl resin, Celluloid or other plastic materials, as well as to those formed of fiber material, including paper or the like.

One general type of mechanical binding which is employed to bind the leaves of books, magazines, calendars, etc, together, is a binding formed of a resilient plastic material such as Celluloid, which comprises a series of rings which integrally extend from a common backbone through loose fitting holes along the edges of the pages or sheets. These mechanical bindingsare cominginto wide use particularly for binding catalogues, sales presentation literature, magazines of the better class and similar publications, because of their attractive appearance and the ability of books bound with them to lie flat when open.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel mechanical binder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel binder having a backbone and a plurality of integral fingersextending therefrom.

tively heavy scored lines to enable a sharp bend to be made in the finger in proximity to the backbone and also in proximity to the tip of the finger.

Still another objectof the present invention is to provide a binding blank or partially formed binding element having pressure-sensitive adhesive on a portion thereof which may be closed and secured in book binding form without the aid of any additional binding element or without the aid of machinery.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and manner of construction, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank of material illustrating how two comb-shaped forms may be stamped therefrom and also illustrating how the fingers of at least one blank may be transversely scored in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a portion of a comb-shaped form after it has been, stamped, scored and removed from the original blank of plastic material;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a portion of the plastic binder after the fingers of the combshaped form shown in Figure 2 have been bent in desired arcuate form;

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 3, but 1 shows the plastic binder turned over and a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the base portion thereof; 1

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a portion of the cover of a book orthe like having front and rear covers and a back whose inner surface is' covered with a pressure-sensitive adhesive;

Figure 6 shows the plastic binding of Figures 3 and 4 mounted within the covers and back of the book shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an end view of a modified form of plastic binder and back plate;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a different embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view of a plastic binder formed from the comb-shaped form of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an isometric view showing a different form of binding element partially curled and ready to receive a stack of sheets to be bound;

Figure 11 is an end view of the binding element of Figure 10 after a stack of sheets has been mounted thereon, and after the binding element has been closed and secured by a pressure-sensitive adhesive;

Figure 12 is an isometric view similar to Fig ure 10 showing a different form of bindingelement;

Figure 13 is an end view of the binding element of Figure 12 after a stack of sheets has been mounted thereon, and the binding'element has been scaled by pressure-sensitive adhesive;

Figure 14 is an isometric view similar toFigure 10 showing a-different form of binding element partially curled and readyto receive a stack of sheets to be bound; and

Figure 15 is an end view of the binding element of Figure 14 after a stack of sheets has been mounted thereon and the binding element closed and secured by a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

In Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown a blank I!) of plastic, fiber or other suitable mate rial which has been stamped and scored to form two comb-shaped elements It and i2, and in order that the fingers of each comb-shaped element may be more distinctly and quickly observed, the scoring lines have been omitted from the fingers of the element l2 It will be understood, however, that each of the elements includes a backbone l3 and. a plurality of fingers l4.

Simultaneously with the stamping. operation which cuts the comb-shaped elements from a blank of suitable material, one ,suriace of the fingers i4 is provided with a pluralit of lightly scored transversely extending lines 15 (see Figure 2). These lightly scored lines on one surface of each of the fingers-extends over the areawhich is presently to be bent into arcuate or semicircular form. In addition. to the light trans versely extending scores 15 there is provided a pair of relatively heavy scored lines l6 and I1 at the ends of the area of lightly scored lines. The relatively heavy scored line 16 is located adjacent the backbone l3 while the relatively heavy scored line I! is located in proximity to the end of the fingers l4 but spaced slightly back there'- from. These relatively heavy scored lines l6 and H are for the purpose of permitting a sharp bend' in the material at this point without the use of heat'or other extraneous means, while the lightly scoredlines are for the purpose of permitting ready bending of the intermediate portions of the fingers without the use of heat or other extraneous means.

The edge of the backbone l3 which lies opposite to the edge from which the fingers I4 extend is provided with a series of notches or cut out portions [8 which correspond in number to the number of fingers and which lie directly opposite the fingers on the backbone l3.

The comb-shaped element of Figure 2 is next bent, preferably while" cold or under a relatively slight amount of heat, into the shape shown in Figure 3 From an inspection of Figure 3, it will be observed that the backbone [3 lies flat and provides a base for the binding, while the tips IQ of the fingers are bent to fit into the notched or cut out portions l8 of the backbone. It will thus be observed that there is no double thickness of binder material at this point for there is no overlapping of the ends of the fingers with the backbone. It will further be understood that the two relatively heavy scored lines l6 and I1 'form the corners 20 and 2| while the lightly scored lines lie along the inner surface of the fingers. I

The underside of the backbone l3 and the tips I9 of the fingers [4 are then coated with an adhesive which is of the pressure-sensitive type as at 22 (see Figure 4).

The binder shown in Figure 4 is now arranged to be mounted in a cover member 23 (see Figure 5) which includes a front cover part 24, a rear cover part 215' and aback cover part 26. The inner surface of the back cover part 26 is covered with an adhesive material 21 which is of the pressure-sensitive type, and which will adhere to the adhesive coat 22 on the binder.

In order to employ the binder shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings to bind a plurality of leaves (not shown) in the cover member 23, the fingers M are partially curled and the leaves which are provided with a series of slots along one of their marginal edges are threaded over the fingers M. For simplicity of illustration the leaves have not been shown he d awi gs, b it will be understood that before the fingers are completely closed, the leaves to be bound are hooked thereon.

The. binder with the leaves on the fingers I4 is thereafter placed within the cover member 23 and the under portion of the binder with the coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive 22 thereon is pressed down against the back part 26 of the cover member 23 so that the adhesive 22 is pressed against the adhesive 21. The binder is thus semay be formed of any cured within the cover member 23 as shown in omitted, however, in v order to show the full details of the binder itself);

Figure .6 (the leaves being The combination binder and cover member unit is now complete.

It is to be understood that the cover member 23 suitable material such as cloth, paper, fiber, elastic-glass, plasticized Vinylite sheeting, Cellophane or other plastic material. Indeed, a particularly effective and decorative combination binder and cover member unit may be obtained by using a plastic cover member and a plastic binding element since the entire unit in this case will be formed of plastic material and may be given a highly ornamental appearance and effect.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, wherein a binder such as that shown in Figures 3 and 4: is

secured to a flat back plate 28 with adhesive 29 or other suitable binding material. In the form shown in'Figure '7 the backbone is does not mate with the ends I9 or the fingers M but is slightly spaced therefrom.

Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring first to Figure 8, a comb-shaped form is cut from a blank of plastic or other material and said form includes a backbone I'll a plurality of long fingers 3| which extend from one edge of the backbone 3i! and are integral therewith, and a second set of relatively short fingers 32 which extend from the opposite edge of the backbone 39. In this form of the invention the long fingers 3| are provided with a plurality of transversely extending light score "lines 33 but in this form of the invention these light score lines 33 also extend across the backbone 38, The ends of the relatively long fingers 3| to the heavy score line I! of the first embodiment of the invention. The short fingers 32 are also provided with a relatively heavy score line 35 which is substantially in line with the edge of the backbone from which the fingers 32 extend.

The comb-shaped blank as shown in Figure 8 is then bent into abinder as shown in Figure 9. As is clearly shown in Figure 9, the backbone 3D is given the same curvature as the long fingers 3!. By virtue of the light scoring on one surface of the blank form as shown in Figure 8, this curvature may be given the backbone 3b as Well as the long fingers 3| without raising the temperature of the plastic material forming the blank, The short fingers 32 are sharply bent along their heavy score lines 35 and th tip 36 of the long fingers 31 are similarly sharply bent along their heavy score lines 3 3 to provide a meetin portion which may be seated on the short fingers 32 and secured thereto by any suitable means, such; for example, as a pressuresensitive adhesive. I

In Figure 10 of the drawings I have illustrated a :form of binding element 31 which has been formed from a comb-shaped blank, having a backbone 38, 'a plurality of short fingers .39 and a plurality of transversely scored long fingers .40. The short fingers 39 extend inwardly at a sharp angle to the backbone 38, the long fingers as extend around in the sam general curve as the the binding elements described in connection are each provided with a relatively heavy scoreline 34 which corresponds with Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings with the exception that the portions 39 and 4| do not lie along a radius of the circle formed by the binding element. The portions 39 and 4| are thus arranged to be disposed adjacent one of the end sheets of the stack of sheets 42 to be bound. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is put on the fingers 39 as at 43 and on the under surface of the tip portions 4! as at 44. After a stack of sheets 42, including cover members 42a, are placed on the fingers 40, the ends 39 and 4| are pressed together and the assembly is complete, as shown in Figure 11.

In Figures 12 and 13 of the drawings another form of binding element is shown which is in the form of a tubular element having a backbone 45 and a plurality of fingers 46. These fingers 46 are curled to their shape as shown in Figure 12 by providing a plurality of transverse scorings I5 on one surface thereof, as described in connection with Figure 2. In this form of binder a pressure-sensitive adhesive stripe 41 is placed along the inner surface of th marginal edge of the backbone 45 while confronting stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive are placed 011 the outer surface of the finger ti portions as at 48. After the leaves have been assembled on the fingers 46 the fingers 46 are curled to their final shape and the portion of the fingers bearing the pressure-sensitive adhesive 48 is pressed against the adhesive 41 on the marginal edge portion of the backbone 45. The assembly is then complete, as shown in Figure 13.

In Figures 14 and 15 of the drawings another form of binding is shown in which the binding element has a flat backbone 49 having a lip portion 50 bent at right angles thereto. Extending from the backbone 49 on the opposite edge from the lip 50 is a plurality of fingers 5| having transverse scores 15 upon one surface. Each of the fingers 5! includes a substantially straight portion 52, a curved portion 53, and an inturned tip portion 54. A stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to the inner surface of the lip 50 as at 55, and also on th immediate adjacent portion of the main body of the backbone, as at 56. A stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive is placed on the outer surface of the tip 54 of each finger 5| as at 51, and is also placed on the outer surface of the adjacent body portion of the fingers 5! as at 58. After a stack of sheets 42 and cover members 43 have been assembled on the fingers 5| the fingers are closed with the stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive 51 on each finger pressed into tight engagement with the stripe of adhesive 56 on the backbone 49 and also with the stripe of adhesive 58 on each finger pressed into tight engagement with the stripe of adhesive 55 on the lip 50. This forms a very secure binding assembly, as shown in Figure 15.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will, of course, be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A binding element having a backbone, and a plurality of fingers extending therefrom, each of said fingers having a plurality of relatively light score lines extending transversely thereacross and providing a region of light score lines over substantially the entire length of each of 2. A binding element having a substantially fiat backbone, a plurality of loop-shaped fingers extending therefrom, said backbone having a plurality of notches whose shape is complementary to the shapes of the ends of said fingers, a substantially fiat backing member, and means for securing said back-bone and said ends of said fingers to said backing member with said ends of said fingers disposed in mating relation with said notches in said backbone.

3. A ring binder having a substantially fiat backbone, a plurality of integral fingers ext-ending from one edge thereof and terminating in tip portions in proximity to the opposite edge thereof, a substantially fiat backing member on which said backbone and said tip portions of said fingers are seated, and means for securing said backbone and said tip portions of said fingers to said backing member.

4. A ring binder having a fiat backbone which lies in substantially a single plane, a plurality of integral fingers extending from one edge of said backbone, said fingers being bent in the form of open loops and terminating in tip portions in proximity to the opposite edge of said backbone, said tip portions being disposed in the same plane as the plane of said backbone, and a backing member adhesively secured to said backbone and to said tip portions of said fingers.

5. A ring binder having a fiat backbone which lies in substantially a single plane, a plurality of integral fingers extending from one edge of said backbone, said fingers being bent in the form of open loops and terminating in tip portion in proximity to the opposite edge of said backbone, said tip portions being disposed in the same plane as the plane of said backbone, a backing member, and pressure-sensitive adhesive means for securing said backing member to said backbone and to said tip portions of said fingers.

6. A ring binder having a fiat backbone which lies in substantially a single plane, a plurality of integral fingers extending from one edge of said backbone, said fingers being bent in the form of open loops and terminating in tip portions in proximity to the opposite edge of said backbone, said tip portions being disposed in the same plane as the plane of said backbone, a backing member, and pressure-sensitive adhesive means for securing said backing member to said backbone and to said tip portions of said fingers, each of said fingers being transversely scored on one surface over the major portion of its length.

CHARLES EDWARD EMMER. 

